Gary Holmes, 44, from Ottways Lane in Ashtead , was also disqualified from driving for seven years after being found guilty of causing death by careless driving at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday (October 17).

The court heard that Holmes had spent a busy day working before meeting a friend in Leatherhead , where he consumed a number of alcoholic drinks, later shown to be almost twice the legal limit.

The two men went to a nightclub and, after eating a meal and despite being offered a bed for the night, Holmes decided to drive home to Ashtead in his black Mercedes.

Just two miles before reaching his home address during the early hours of December 13, 2014, Holmes failed to negotiate a left hand bend on the A24 at Leatherhead between the Beaverbrook roundabout and the Knowle roundabout.

Holmes was then involved in a head-on collision with a silver Mazda sports car being driven in the opposite direction by Keith Roberts.

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Other tragic fatal collisions

Both drivers were taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting by the air ambulance but Mr Roberts later died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the collision.

Detective Sergeant Gary Wright, said: “Mr Roberts’ death was solely down to the bad choices Holmes made that evening. He also tried to claim he had not drunk that much which the judge dismissed as “patently absurd”.

'Not far from dangerous'

“The judge described Holmes’ driving as “not far from dangerous” and also rejected a claim by his defence that a previously undiagnosed sleep apnoea condition had been responsible for the collision.”

DS Wright continued: “This case highlights Surrey Police’s commitment to drink and drug driving enforcement which drivers should be aware carries on throughout the year.

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"We will continue to target resources at those dangerous individual drivers who put themselves and others at risk by being under the influence of drink or drugs.

Mr Roberts' life taken unnecessarily

"If you are caught you are most likely going to lose your licence, which could affect your job, increase your insurance premiums or in the worst of cases go to prison for killing someone which will be on your conscience for the rest of your life.”

He added: “Keith Roberts’ life was taken unnecessarily and we will continue to do everything we can to stop and prevent offending motorists in a bid to prevent collisions and save lives on the roads across the county’s road network.”

Drive SMART Road Safety and Anti-Social Driving Partnership was created by Surrey County Council (including Surrey Fire and Rescue Service) and Surrey Police joining together to coordinate their work to tackle road casualties and anti-social driving.